Did you know there are more than 60 designated wine regions in Australia? Add this number to the hundreds more across the globe, plus the thousands of wineries that produce countless bottles of wine and it is no wonder that people are left scratching their heads when it comes to having the knowledge and confidence to select great wines.
The absolute starting point is to actually enjoy the experience of choosing, drinking and sharing wine. Wine is about pleasure. The most important criteria in choosing and enjoying wine is ’if you like it, you like it!’ If you really like a wine, don′t be swayed by other people’s views on this wine and similarly if you don′t like a wine, don′t worry if others do like it. Tastes in wine are a very personal thing, which is why there are so many different options for you to explore on the market.
A great approach is to experiment. Try different varieties, regions, price points and vintages. A good idea is to keep notes about which ones you do and don′t like, and why. If you do this it is highly likely that you will see some patterns start to emerge, this is your palate steering you in the right direction.
When you want to try a new wine it can be helpful to understand what you should be looking out for and to know what is considered a ’good wine’. There are several key Australian judging competitions a year, look out for state wine shows run by the Agricultural Societies and industry publications like Winestate magazine. In these competitions, wines are judged on their colour (three points), their nose (seven points) and their taste (ten points) to hopefully be awarded Gold, Silver or Bronze medals in their specific categories. In addition, many of the key judges also write for leading publications or release wine guides with regular reviews on wines. Some renowned judges and writers to look out for include James Halliday, Huon Hooke, Max Allen, Jeremy Oliver and our own ambassador, Nick Stock.
A Simple Guide ...
Once you′ve developed an idea of the type of wines you like, there are other considerations that can come into play to help you choose wine. Some of these things include:
- Occasion - Is it a casual, special or formal? And what type of wine would be appropriate? A bottle of French Champagne may be appropriate for a special event while a bottle of Australian sparkling wine is perfect for a picnic.
- Company - Who are the people you are sharing the wine with? Do you know their likes, preferences and dislikes? Some people are quite open about what they do and don’t like, even if they don’t know why.
- Food - What will you be eating? Well-matched wine can really enhance and complement the flavours of your meal - check out our food matching section for great hints and tips.
- Environment - Weather, temperature and time of day all can come into play. A riesling is a great complement for an alfresco summer lunch whilst a full-bodied shiraz is perfect for a heavy winter meal.
- Experts - Getting help from wine experts is easy with the on-tap access to information. Today’s leading wine critics share their thoughts via blogs, magazines and newspapers and many author published wine annuals.
- Education – There are lots of great education courses on offer, from introductory, appreciation and advanced master classes.